Expandable condenser tube cleaner



Sept. 29, 1953 T, J, BAY- 2,653,334y

EXPANDABLE CONDENSER TUBE CLEANER Filed Sept. 30, 1947 2 Sheets-Shaftl l3mm/vtm THOMAS J. BAY

Sept. 29, 1953 T. J. BAY 2,653,334

EXPANDABLE CONDENSER TUBE CLEANER Filed Sept. 50, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2THOMAS J. BAY

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Patented Sept. 2.9,

vv 22",@52L33'1i EziNn AQL CNSENSER TUBE (JLNR` T'ioiiafsi; ay, UnitedStates Navy Application September 30, 1947, Serial No. 777,99 soiie.'(c1. 15L10`4y114' (Grantedumir Title 35,U. si C'ae (1952),'

Sec. 266) 5:.

t. .V -`Y M fA'...-.Yf-.,1-' A.. M This invention relates to cleaner forpipes tainapplic'at'ions- One f theprincipai objections and tubes andparticularly to' a` cleaner'for Water to the use ofrubbe'r plugs atpresent is associcooled tubes of steam surface" eondensers`. atedwiththe Wideuseof i'zoi'idensery tube protec- Deposits of slimeand `otherfore1gn matt'er to` rs Which are inserted in theinlet end of the on theinside surfaces of steam' condenser tubes 5 condenser tubes topreventcorrosion and impingtend to decrease -the''w of heat f ro'riithecon ent erosion. Such anl assembly .is shown in my densing steam incontact With the Aoutside of the Patent'No. 2,225,6i5, whiclfiinsert hasa restricted tubes, through the' metallic tube wa1l, toI the neckportion adjacent its inlet end. This obcooling Water flowing through-thetubes. 'Ifh usv jection will be clearly observed by Ireference to theeiectivenessv o fnvthecondenser isvgradually 10 said patent. Under theseconditions it vis exdecreased and it bec'o s neces'sary tclean thetreinely difficult to insert a rubber plug tube inner surfaces of the tcleaner into the tube through the restricted neck to maintain reasonablyportionof t l 1e i ns ert unless the rubber plug is with satisfactoryandecrent operatioi f s'tefai'nf eithertod all orttoo soft to exertsufficient turbines and other apparatus served bythe con'- 15 pressure'Aagainst the tub"e surface beyond the densing equipment. insertto'proyide for proper cleaning of the metal In tropicalwatersslim'efor'a n o' condens e1 tube surface, tube surfaces is m'ucl1'e' rapid than co" 'Oner of theobjects of the present invention is th e,proyi sion of a, collapsible and expansible' cleaner of Athe rotarytype which v vill pass freely through the resi; ed' t lr.j `a ,t,y ornekportion of a; @dansante or tor andrwhichwi11thereafter expand intorInnatercontact with the Wall of tl 1e tub`e' ink order tov removeforeign matter therefroinl further Yof' this inventionis to pro- Vide animpro d cleaner of thetype generally shown my prior Patent No. 2,313,042of March Waters and the relatiyely h ightemperature of circulating waterhas ,adirect eifect ir red of the condenser vacuur'rf o btainable Highperature circulating Water combi e limits unless the tube surfacesar'ekp slime coatings and oth'e'rdeposits' of foreign"1r1at' ter.

Periodic remover f foreign deposits'wfrojr'V the", interior surfaces ofvcondensrtubeslli quired in the pastprincip'a'lly asf a mea minimizingcorrosion o attack or selective-pit surfaces underneathp'a The standardmethod of' c leaning conier'iserjty has been by use 0f.di1 A. l flancesweep out foreigr1 depo'sits.` In cases offegitrei'n fouling, as oftenoccur in the'trpicarubber p1 have been employed f o'r cleani'rgth Thamusement withqeifdepariiee fromme matureV and scope'oij the invention',as' dene'd inA the appas@ dams;

rubber plugs are s ligltlylarger than the 'ns1 order ti diameter of thetubes-aramid@ .therein und@ we diem/ing,A In

tubes by use of air or waterpre 'ure' to s' a ffA the slime andotherforeign rotating metallicwirebrus types of metallic condenser tube cleaous types for cleaning' Yc'Iileri t hibited because the metalsc devicesscratch andotherwi surfaces of the'tubes by damaging theft-hin, adi'herent protective coatingand renderigthetubes 56" Fig. 2"v a Sectiovi'vg'iz showing the hose e52- subject toacceleratedcrrsion)pitting'and'early' panded u'r'ide cent gal force'.

cleaner ofl this intention.

service failure. rig. 3 is: a partly seetia'1=L View; similar' to Therubber plug cleaning' r r 1 etliod'mentioned Fig above has beenl foundsatisfactory for removing` Fig; fisvr al; patlys'e'ctinal' View of a'modified Fig. 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a modied form of hose with diagonal slits.

Fig. 7 is a view on line 1-1 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a hose, with but two slits.

Fig. 9 is a section on line 53--9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 shows a modification with a spline-key added, applicable to anyof the foregoing forms.

Fig. 11 is a plan view partly in section of a modified form of thedevice of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken on the line I2-I2 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a plan view partly in section of another modied form of thedevice of Fig. 10.

Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken on the line ld-M of Fig. 13.

Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals designate likeparts throughout the various figures, there is shown at i@ the completecleaner head of this invention. This cleaner head l includes a spindle ll shaped as shown, including an internally threaded and externallyhexagonal end l2 connected by a shoulder i3 to a reduced threadedportion Hl. This in turn is connected by a reduced spindle body l5 to afurther reduced cylindrical neck It having a threaded end Il, thethreaded end il having the same diameter and thread as the internalthread on the other end I2, whereby two or more spindles il may beconnected in tandem, if desired. A knurled nut i8 is threaded to fit onthe threaded end l1.

The cleaning element 26 consists of a piece of three or more plyfabricated or molded rubber hose or tubing 2l, which may be 'moldedabout the reinforcing spring metal cage 2S which is designed to addstrength, stiffness and rigidity to the hose r tubing. This tubing 2i isprovided with a plurality of parallel slits 22 'stopping short of itsends. As shown, the slits 22 are also parallel to the longitudinal axisof the hose 2i, but may extend spirally instead, either clockwise, asshown at 23, Fig. '3, or counterclockwise.

A bushing 25, with a thread similar to that at ,1

lli on the spindle, nts -slidably over the cylindrical neck l5. Inaddition, the bushing 25 may have one or more longitudinal splineways 24to cooperate with a spline-key 2l removably secured in a longitudinalgroove 28 extending along the ,-1.

reduced neck it and threaded end il, the splinekey being held inposition by the nut te, all as shown in Fig. 10. The use or" thisremovable spline-key 2l' permits the hose or tube 2i to be readilyreplaced, yet holds it against twisting while being rotated at highspeed during the cleaning operation.

To assemble the cleaner head lil, the bushing 25 is threaded into oneend of the hose or tubing 2 I, and the hose or tubing 2l is then passedover the spindle body I and has its other end threaded over the threadedportion Hi until it abuts the shoulder at the end. The knul-led nut i3is threaded over the threaded end il. Should two or more cleaner headsbe used in tandem, the threaded end il of one is threaded into theinternally threaded hexagonal end l2 of the second spindle Il, and thenut IB is placed on the threaded end i' of the final spindle.

In operation, the cleaner head iii is connected to a exible power shaft,similar to that shown in the aforementioned Patent 2,313,042, bythreading the end i2 of the spindle H tothe end of the shaft. After thecleaner head has been inserted into the tube to be cleaned,v it isrotated at high speed. Centrifugal force causes the slitted centerportion of the hose or tubing 2l to move outwardly, the bushing movingon the neck I5 toward the shoulder to permit such action. The edges ofthe slitted portions act as squeegee Scrapers or wipers to clean theinsides of the tubes or pipes of slime, which has collected therein.When removing the cleaner head from the tube being cleaned, the knurlednut serves to prevent the cleaner tubing or hose 2i from being broken byundue elongation and strain.

As shown in my prior patent referred to hereinabove, it is oftendesirable to pass flushing water through the tube cleaner and in suchevent, it is particularly desirable to prevent twisting of the hose ortube 2i during the cleaning operation as such twisting tends to closethe slits in the hose thereby not only preventing the aforementioned scueegee action produced as the edges of the slits pass over the insidesof the condenser tubes but also preventing the flow of flushing waterfrom the slits. The arrangement of Fig. l0 will prevent such twisting ofthe hose which result may also be accomplished by the means illustratedin the modifications shown in Figs. 11, l2, 13 and 14.

Referring now to the structure of Figs. Il and 12, there is disclosed acondenser tube cleaner provided with a spindle il having a longitudinalbore 3l therein and intersecting apertures 32 to permit the passage offlushing iluid therethrough during the cleaning operation. In order toprevent closure of the slits in the hose or tube 2l carried by thespindle il caused by twisting of the hose in use, the spindle l isprovided with a reduced cylindrical neck i5 provided with a hexagonal orother non-circular section 33 which is arranged to cooperate with aclose-fitting hexagonal or other non-circular bore in the bushing 2&5when the bushing is caused to slide on the neck i5 under the action ofcentrifugal force. The interengagement of section t3 with bore teprevents rotation of the bushing 25 with respect to the spindle ilwithout in any way interfering with the rotation of bushing 25 when itis initially assembled in the hose or tube 2l by screwing therein. Theoperation of this modiiication is similar to that hereinbefore describedin connection with the previous figures.

Figs. 13 and lll illustrate an arrangement similar to that of Figs. l1and 12, the difference residing in the provision of an entirely distinctarrangement for preventing twisting of the hose or tube 2i. This isaccomplished by providing the reduced neck le of the spindle i i with alongitudinal slot li and providing the bushing 25 with a series ofradial apertures l2 any one of which may be rotated into alignment withthe slot li when the bushing 25 is assembled in the hose or tube El.After assembly of these elements is completed, a headed pin or cotter LSis inserted in the aligned aperture 42 and slot 5i, the pin or cotterbeing then bent, as shown, to retain it in position. It is obvious thatthe pin or cotter i3 will prevent rotation of the bushing 25 withrespect to the spindle il while permitting slidable movement of thebushing on the neck iii as the pin i3 slides freely in the slot fl l.

It will be understood that, as previously stated, the above descriptionand accompanying drawing comprehend only the general and preferredembodiment of the invention and that various changes, in construction,proportion and arrangement of the parts may be made Within the scope ofthe appended claims without sacrificing any of the advantages of theinvention.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or forthe Government of the United States of America for governmental purposeswithout the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

What I claim is:

1. A tube cleaner comprising a spindle arranged to be rotated at highspeed, a removable and replaceable hose of yieldable material xedlysecured at one end about the spindle, and means rotatable with saidspindle, for slidably mounting and securing the other end of said hoseto said spindle, said hose having a plurality of longitudinal slitsextending radially therethrough intermediate its ends whereby the edgesof said slits provide squeegee action under centrifugal force when thetube cleaner is rotated.

2. The tube cleaner ci claim 1 having a hose of iiexible and elasticmaterial.

3. A tube cleaner comprising a spindle arranged to be rotated at highspeed, a removable and replaceable hose of yieldable material xedlysecured at one end about said spindle, means for slidably mounting andsecuring the other end of said hose to said spindle, said meansincluding a bushing secured within such other end of said hose, areduced neck on said spindle, said bushing being slidably movable onsaid reduced neck, a nut threadedly secured on said reduced necklimiting the outward movement of said bushing, and spline key meansengaging mating slots on said reduced neck and said bushing therebypreventing rotation of said bushing with respect to said spindle, saidhose having a plurality of longitudinal slits extending radiallytherethrough intermediate its ends whereby the edges of the slitsprovide squeegee action under centrifugal force when the tube cleaner isrotated.

4. A tube cleaner comprising a spindle arranged to be rotated at highspeed, a removable and replaceable hose of yieldable material andprovided with longitudinal slits intermediate its ends iixedly securedat one end about said spindle, means for slidably mounting and securingthe other end of said hose to said spindle, said means including abushing inserted within such other end of said hose, a reduced neck onsaid spindle,

said bushing being slidably movable on said rei tudinal groove in saidneck by said nut and cooperating with a longitudinal groove in saidbushing to prevent rotation of said bushing and hose relative to saidspindle.

5. A tube cleaner comprising a spindle arranged to be rotated at highspeed, a removable and replaceable hose of yieldable material xedlysecured at one end about said spindle, a plurality of longitudinal slitsextending radially through and intermediate the ends of said hose, meansfor slidably mounting and securing the other end of said hose to saidspindle, said means including a bushing inserted within such other endof said hose, a reduced neck on said spindle provided with anon-circular portion, said bushing being slidably movable on said neckand having a non-circular opening therein cooperating with thenon-circular portion of the neck thereby to prevent rotation of saidbushing and hose relative to said spindle.

6. A tube cleaner comprising a spindle arranged to be rotated at highspeed, a removable and replaceable hose of yieldable material fixedlysecured at one end about said spindle, a plurality of longitudinal slitsextending radially through and intermediate the ends of said hose, meansfor slidably mounting and securing the other end of said hose to saidspindle, said means including a bushing inserted within such other endof said hose, a reduced neck on said spindle provided with alongitudinal slot therein, an aperture in said bushing substantiallycoincident with said slot, and a pin passing through said aperture andsaid slot when said bushing is mounted on said reduced neck whereby thebushing is permitted to slide upon said neck but is prevented fromrotating thereon.

7. A tube cleaner comprising a spindle arranged to be rotated at highspeed, a removable and replaceable hose of yieldable material xedlysecured at one end about said spindle, means for slidably mounting andsecuring the other end of said hose to said spindle, said meansincluding a bushing inserted within such other end of said hose, areduced neck on said spindle, said bushing being slidably movable onsaid reduced neck, and a threaded nut secured on said reduced necklimiting the outward movement of said bushing, said hose being providedwith a. plurality of longitudinal slits extending radially therethroughintermediate its ends, the edges of said slits providing squeegee actionunder centrifugal force when the tube cleaner is rotated.

8. A tube cleaner comprising a spindle arranged to be rotated at highspeed, a removable and replaceable hose of yieldable material xedlysecured at one end about said spindle, means for slidably mounting andsecuring the other end of said hose to said spindle, said meansincluding a bushing inserted within such other end of said hose, areduced neck on said spindle, said bushing being slidably movable onsaid reduced neck, a nut threadedly secured on said reduced necklimiting the outward movement of said bushing, and a spline-key held ina-longitudinal groove in said neck by said nut and cooperating with alongitudinal groove in said bushing to prevent rotation of said bushingand hose relative to said spindle, said hose having a plurality oflongitudinal slits extending radially therethrough intermediate its endswhereby the edges of said slits provide squeegee action undercentrifugal force when the tube cleaner is rotated, said hose being offlexible material.

THOMAS J. BAY.

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